Nikola Grbić's decision to exclude players who do not participate in the Nations League from the World Championship squad is definitely firm and uncompromising, all Polish media trumpet. This will certainly cause serious discussions among fans and specialists in Poland, as it affects not only veterans but also key players who have had an important role in the national team's successes.

Without Benek and Janusz – how will Poland look?

The Polish national team has always had a deep bench, but the loss of experienced figures such as Mateusz Bieniek and Marcin Janusz will be palpable. From the silver medal-winning team at Paris 2024, Grzegorz Łomacz, Paweł Zatorski, and Łukasz Kaczmarek are also missing.

Bieniek, who has been battling injuries in recent seasons, has probably made the right decision to focus on his recovery, but his absence will leave a void at the center of the net. Janusz, on the other hand, was a key figure in game distribution, and his absence raises the question of whether his potential replacements – Marcin Komenda and Jan Firlej – will be able to perform at the same level.

A chance for the young, but at what cost?

Grbić is clearly banking on rejuvenating the squad and providing opportunities for new players. The inclusion of as many as seven debutants and even a First League player (Jakub Nowak) is a bold decision that shows the coach is looking to the future. The question is whether these young athletes will be able to withstand the pressure of a major forum like the World Championship.

Kwolek and Butryn – intentionally overlooked?

Another interesting point is the lack of a call-up for Bartosz Kwolek and Karol Butryn, who have been demonstrating a high level in PlusLiga for years. Even more surprising is that Grbić did not even speak with Kwolek regarding a possible inclusion in the squad. This raises questions about whether the decision is purely sporting or if there are other factors – for example, discipline, character, or tactical considerations.

🚪❌ Grbić closed the door to a return: "No game practice, no World Cup!"

Asked by a TVP Sport journalist about the possibility of absent players returning for the World Championship, the team's coach replied that it is almost impossible for someone without game practice to prepare for the championship itself, as the break would be too long. In this way, he put an end to speculation about possible subsequent call-ups.

• Opposites: Bartłomiej Bołądź, Bartosz Gomułka, Bartosz Kurek, Aleksiej Nasevich, Kevin Sasak

• Outside Hitters: Bartosz Bednorz, Tomasz Fornal, Michał Gierżot, Wilfredo León, Mikołaj Sawicki, Kamil Semeniuk, Artur Szalpuk, Rafał Szymura, Aleksander Śliwka

• Setters: Jan Firlej, Marcin Komenda, Łukasz Kozub, Kajetan Kubicki

• Middle Blockers: Sebastian Adamczyk, Norbert Huber, Szymon Jakubiszak, Jakub Kochanowski, Jakub Nowak, Mateusz Nowak, Mateusz Poręba, Jordan Zaleszczyk

• LiberosMateusz Czunkiewicz, Maksymilian Granieczny, Kuba Hawryluk, Jakub Popiwczak

Conclusion

Poland has the luxury of having a huge resource of quality players, but every rotation and rejuvenation carries its own risks. Grbić is clearly betting on a long-term plan, but will this affect the team's performance in the short term? Will the new faces be able to compensate for the lack of experienced stars?

*The coach does not rule out changes that may result from health or other conditions.